An Afternoon of Sketching

Last week was hubby's birthday and it was decided that we should celebrate by having a barbecue down by the river at Richmond. This worked in well with the weekly touch football game that hubby and master 13 enjoy each Thursday afternoon.

Not being very interested in football, Miss 16 and I decided that we should go for a wander around the quaint township of Richmond, which is a visual delight. The town is one of the oldest in Tasmania and has proudly retained many of its original stone cottages and buildings. Richmond is most famous for its convict made bridge which is the oldest in Australia.

 

 

I was delighted when Miss 16 made mention that she had her sketch pad in her bag and that perhaps we should sketch a scene together. Miss 16 is very artist and is always sketching, whilst mother has not sketched just for fun in a very long time. So the idea was exciting although a bit unsettling, especially when Miss 16 announced that she had only packed two black ink pens which meant that there was going to be no room for error. Yikes!

We eventually decided on a scene and settled ourselves on a park bench. The idea was to record what was in front of us in a short period of time. We didn't want Hubby to notice that we had both disappeared from the football sideline.

We both started in and did not look at each others sketches until the end. It was amazing how different our interpretations were.
Here is my sketch.

 

And here are some close ups.

Unfortunately I do not have a picture of Miss 16's sketch, although I can tell you that it was very good and much better than mine.

I was lucky enough to find  a picture on Flickr of the side of the building we sketched. It's the white building on the right.

Reliving this afternoon now I appreciate how wonderful it was.
Far more important than the sketches was the special memory that we had created. I fondly remember us both sitting there in silence, sharing a creative moment and enjoying each others company.
It was very magically and will be remembered for many years to come.

Until next time, have fun.
Warmly Lenna

New Embroidery Project Featured in Sew It All Magazine

Yipee, I've been published in a brand new, United States based magazine called Sew It All. This is very exciting seeing as I live across the other side of the world on a little island.  So this seems a bit surreal. Sew It All has been put together by the same team as Sew News which you may have heard of if you live in the States.

When the editor Ellen March contacted me months ago to commission a project featuring hand embroidery I eagerly accepted. The 'Sew It All" magazine has only just hit the stands in America and has already been a huge success.
Here's the project that I came up with.

"Sew It All" magazine features many different projects to suit a variety of skill levels and each project is categories under time friendly, budget friendly, eco friendly and kid friendly.There's something for everyone.

And they also included a snippet from each of the designers and a graphic, can you find me?

I'm not sure if you will be able to find the "Sew It All" magazine in Australian newsagents but I have included a link here if you would like to take a closer look at this exciting new sewing magazine. If you look under Prairie Home Companions you will be able to download one of the embroidery panels from my project. Here's the link for you Sew It All magazine

Until next time, happy sewing.
Warmly Lenna
www.stitchingcow.com

Sneak peek at new designs for Homespun Magazine

As promised here is a sneak peek at my little felt friends that I made up over the Christmas break. They will appear in the Christmas in July issue of Homespun magazine. Hope you like them.

 

Homespun Magazine a Christmas Design in the Making

When the phone rang last week it was the delightful Catherine from Homespun Magazine reminding me that she had commissioned me for a project for the Christmas in July addition. This meant a flurry of sketches, some exchanging of ideas and a trip to town for some lovely wool felt. 

Here's a peek at what emerged.

Upon entering the tiny Steiner shop in Hobart, which is well know for its wholesome treasures, I was occupied for ages trying to choose form the shelves of felt squares that were before me. This did not amuse Hubby, who after 20 minutes was anxiously looking for an escape plan. He had accompanied me with the plan of starting our Christmas shopping and this was not his idea of playing Santa.

After mush deliberation I just had to buy a dozen and I was very proud of my decision when it was rewarded with another felt square for free. Here is my collection, aren't the colours wonderful. They look so good that I have not released them form the roll yet.

Something I know I will have to do very soon so that I can make a start. Otherwise I will not be able to enjoy them this Christmas which would make far more sense than trying to muster some Christmas excitement after the big event in January, when the project is due.

I'll share some snippets of my Homespun Christmas projects as they emerge.

Stay tuned.

Warmly Lenna

Creating Country Threads Project Lizzie

Look who appears in this month's

Creating Country Threads Magazine.

Lizzie is no stranger to some of you because she featured in another blog post of mine. She was the naughty doll whose shiny black painted boots left a nasty surprise on my Laura Ashley curtains.

But all is forgiven because she features on the front cover, looking ever so elegant.

  

You can see from the cover that this issue of Creating Country Threads is

a stitchery special packed full of embroidery projects to tempt you. 

And as usual Danielle and the team have done a wonderful job photographing here.

She's perched in the garden which is fitting considering her floral hand embroidered apron and petticoat

Don't forget to look out for Lizzie in the shops, I'm sure you will have fun making her up for your home.

But please remember to keep her freshly painted boots away from your curtains!

Craft Fun at School Fete

Things get extra crazy around here when it is time to have some craft fun making items for the school fete.

Luckily I have some very clever "crafty friends" who come to my rescue as the date looms.

As usual everything is left until a few weeks before hand. Then all of a sudden it dawns on us.

We kick into action. Our needles are sharpened and our sewing machines begin to race.

Fabric is chopped, creatures are stuffed.

Coffee and chocolate is consumed and there is much laughter.

Slowly the baskets are filled with all manner of crafty delights.

Here are a but a few.

Scrappy Bunnies

Little Birds and Owls made by little hands

Beaded Lizards

Santa's Little Helpers

A few Purses

Heat Bag Characters

And some Button Baubles and an Angel for the tree

Lots of craft fun!

Stroll around my garden

I had always dreamed of having an English cottage style garden. This month as I strolled around my garden with coffee mug in hand I rejoiced because my dream had become a reality.
Here is what I saw...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such a wonderful thing when a dream becomes a reality!